Con Fusion in Penang

Friday March 25, 2011 – 6:30pm

After getting up and checking out of my what I call luxury hotel in Bangkok for the night (a cable tv with a movie and Animal Planet channel, plus hot water shower and a/c), I grabbed a quick breakfast and headed to the meeting point for my airport bus an hour early. Its funny because companies advertised such different airport journey times ranging from 45 minutes to two hours when raining. Fortunately, it was not raining however, I did not check my bus ticket that was written to me yesterday and the girl had written 10:00pm.

I quickly pointed out the mistake which was definitely a lesson learned and another lady said there was no room on the 10:00am bus (my flight was at 2:15pm) but room on the 9:00am airport bus so I took it!

It ended up being a blessing with disguise and we got to the airport in 40 minutes with minimum traffic. The van also only had 2 other people in it. Plus, I wanted to explore the BKK airport a bit knowing that it is a HUGEEEEE airport transportation hub for SE Asia, if not THE biggest! Indeed, it was giant with massive duty free shopping outlets once you got through the security and immigration lines. Elevated prices of course with pad thai at 160 Baht (minimum) as opposed to last night’s 30 Baht on the Khao San Road strip.

The Air Asia flight was quite full and I sat next to an American going there for the weekend and we ended up splitting a cab to the main city area about 15 miles away. I was planning to get the local bus suggested in my lonely planet book for $1. The cab ride split was about $8 each. My reservation was not confirmed and the place was full where I wanted to stay but they sent me to one of their other hotels down the road which has a simple fan one bed room (well more like cubicle) I guess and shared bathroom…about $6 each. So basically, my cab ride into town cost more than my night’s stay! Haha….anyway, We will see how I sleep tonight. I had no idea what to do in this UNESCO heritage island so unpacked walked the little Chinatown strip where the guesthouse is located and was ready to find out what to do in this place.

The guys at the hostel information were so helpful and they actually stay and live in the building where I am staying too. I have a walking tour planned and since Penang is the food heave for people, there is even a food brochure with explanations which is great. Tomorrow, I will walk the morning, then get on a bus and try to explore the coastline and various spice and butterfly farms before a night market at the beach and then home.

Sunday, more exploring/walking and a hike up to a lookout temple is planned. In my Lonely Planet book it says that the Chinese (hakka) language I speak is one of the national languages. I am excited to perhaps talk to some people in Hakka here but after speaking to some locals here this afternoon, it sounds like they are more in other places.

From the plane, Penang looks so clean, crisp and green. It is an island of course linked to the mainland by a bridge and I guess they have had a little bit of rain so everything is so lush. I wasn’t very hungry for dinner tonight so just had some fresh grilled corn on the cob and some rice noodle with coconut and brown sugar wrapped in a banana leaf from the street which a local girl encouraged me to eat (very and too sweet for me!). I’ll be ready to indulge the next few days…..

Saturday March 26, 2011 – 3:55pm

I awoke to heavy rain and couldn’t believe that I slept as much as I did….by the time I was headed out on my morning walk around, I realized I had not changed my watch an hour ahead and it was already 10am so I had slept for nearly 10 hours! I guess the rain cools things down a lot and the fan in my room is all I need. A friend tells me that Kuala Lumpur is hot and sweaty so maybe a room with A/C is needed there.

With that said, my poncho has come in handy and its my first day on the travels that its been fully raining (not just light rain). I myself don’t mind getting wet but its just my little backpack that I walk around with. Hence, the poncho comes in handy.

While staying in “Chinatown” I walk past noodle carts and incense burning stores, then “Little India” smelling the curries, seeing the brightly colored saris and more. I see my first mosque which happens to be the biggest in Malaysia, then a Hindu temple with worshippers washing their hands and feet outside, another Buddhist temple then making my way to the Penang State Museum. Very well done with its galleries of history, culture, dress, music, food and more.

Working up an appetite now, I headed towards water where the smaller palaus (islands) can be send. At the esplanade, I hit up the food court and have breakfast at 11:30am which is some concoction that I have no idea is but is icy, sweet, fruity and refreshing – a Penang decadent desert. Since it is raining, I have few photos but will post the photos of my food at least! J

I continued making my way through the heritage sited street with my walking map and get to the recommended Indian restaurant from the guesthouse receptionist. I chose chicken tandoori and naan bread which was incredible. In fact, the tandoori marinate is still in my fingers I think…..I make my way back to the guesthouse main street and get on the bus to head to the “resort” area up north. Maybe the weather is better up that way around 45 minutes on the bus. Its not the case but the bus ride was well worth it seeing the coastline and the massive apartment and hotel beach side buildings. I am glad I am staying in the Chinatown main side.

I stop at the Spice Garden but decide the weather and the walks in the 4 ½ hectare garden wouldn’t be so good in the rain, so hop on the bus on the way back observing all the people and stores along the way.

I am staying on “Love Lane” in Chinatown which is apparently where the wealthy Chinese men brought their mistresses back in the day. I hope the weather clears up tomorrow as I am hoping to hike up to the temple up on a hill and lookout of the island and then maybe seeing some local markets.

I thought Hawaii had fusion but this place makes it even more evident since the fusion of cultures is between ethnicities of such diversity.....I love it!